Expanded Youth Programs Grantees
One of our early steps as a new agency in 2019 was to launch the Baltimore Children’s Cabinet. The vision at the time: to bring together city and state agencies and key external partners to align and bolster Baltimore City’s collective youth-serving efforts, and to prioritize and guide the work of the city on behalf of children and families.
We are very happy to report that now, nearly two years later, that vision is being realized.
Last week, the Family League of Baltimore, in partnership with Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore Children’s Cabinet, announced a $2 million investment in out-of-school-time activities and supports for children, youth and young adults:
$1 million to support the addition of quality, community-based programming at the city’s 43 Baltimore City Recreation and Parks centers
$1 million to expand enrichment opportunities for pre-k-12 students and young adults at 25 community-based organizations
A member organization of the Children’s Cabinet and key city partner, Family League made alignment to the seven priorities of the Children’s Cabinet a requirement of the community-based organization grant application—and the programs of all 25 successful grantees advance one or more of those priorities.
The $1.025 million investment by Family League in these 25 organizations represents not just an aligned and strategic investment in Baltimore’s young people, but a commitment to empowering our communities to activate their own assets and infrastructure to support the success of children, youth and families. Nine of the 25 are first-time Family League grantees. And 22 of the 25 grantees are led by women and/or persons of color.
Click on any organization to learn more about them:
10:12 Sports
10:12 Sports uses athletics to provide mentoring and job training opportunities for youth. 10:12 empowers its neighborhood partners and indigenous leaders to mentor youth developing servant leaders, healthy lifestyles and successful decision makers. 10:12 aims to expand its Mentoring and Workforce Development program to accelerate job eligibility, readiness, and placement; increase program enrollment; expand mentorship through recruitment, ongoing training and replication. The goal is to enroll 31 additional participants in 2021, offer additional program hours thus expanding mentorship opportunities and capacity, as well as establish a robust pipeline from soft skills job training to local career training programs/employment.
Baltimore SquashWise
SquashWise partners with Baltimore's youth and families to advance equity in squash, education and personal development opportunities. It provides a place where students reach their academic, athletic and life goals and the squash community can become more accessible and welcoming for all. Funds will go towards the safe return to entirely in-person programming at SquashWise! Throughout the pandemic, the organization has developed and sustained an elective program that is completely tailored to students' needs and interests. Transitioning this impactful model to the courts and classroom will require adapting schedules and spaces for students to engage in a variety of experiences such as individualized tutoring or squash training, small group cross training or homework help sessions, and/or enrichment electives such as yoga or creative writing.
Baltimore Urban Debate League
The Baltimore Urban Debate League promotes the use of argumentation and debate as tools to engage students in critical thinking and develop educated, informed and confident voices that improve life opportunities. BUDL aims to continue the components of community-based debate that have been successful during COVID. These include providing online debate teams (one elementary, one middle, and one high school) for Baltimore city young people whose schools have not chosen to engage with BUDL and to Baltimore city young adults (14-23) who are engaged with other non-profits through workshops and debate-based social events.
Beautiful Butterflies, Inc.
www.beautifulbutterfliesinc.com
The mission of Beautiful Butterflies is to empower girls to be confident, socially poised and ambitious by engaging them in their communities, building their self-esteem, imparting social etiquette skills, increasing literacy and encouraging sisterhood. Ambitious Girls, the signature program for middle-school aged, low-income and underserved girls in Baltimore focuses on developing a community to help them overcome the barriers to personal and academic success. Our 2022 curriculum will focus heavily on increasing literacy and exposing STEM and STEM careers into the lives of young inner city girls. In addition, Queendom is a one-day conference for high school girls throughout Baltimore City who have some type of involvement with the juvenile justice system, high absenteeism rate or a low-grade point average. Queendom is designed to build positive self-esteem, self-images and develop a strong sense of self-worth while reducing their involvement or risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system and providing access to opportunities and services.
Bridging the Gap, Inc.
www.facebook.com/BTGactivitycenters
Bridging the Gap seizes the opportunity to bridge the gap between where the scholars are today and their potential. The organization aims to provide your children with a caring, positive environment where they can develop as individuals socially, intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Its elementary programming is focused on academic support, enrichment, and introductions to new experiences. The academic support includes homework/project assistance and quiz/test preparation. The enrichment activities include Art, Recreation/Sports, Yoga, Fashion Design, STEM and Career Exploration. The trips planned for this program year include iFly, National Harbor, MD courts, local banks and Ocean City. The middle and high school age group is intended to combat violence in our community. Building relationships, building their confidence and providing access to opportunities are all elements to help the students see a brighter future for themselves and their peers.
Catherine's Family and Youth Services, Inc.
www.catherinesfamilyandyouthservices.org
The mission of Catherine’s Family and Youth Services (CFYS) organization is to help improve the quality of life for all the residents living in Northwest Baltimore City and surrounding areas. CFYS is dedicated to serving the very low to moderate income families, the LGBTQ+ community, and youth within our target area with services that will help improve the quality of life and family. CFYS provides free youth development programming to youth ages 5-16 that focuses on life skills, character development, STEM, and focus on social emotional learning with a trauma informed approach. Program help shape and provide young leaders with the tools necessary that will empower and propel them into productive citizens of Baltimore.
Code in Schools
The mission of Code in the Schools is to empower youth to thrive in the 21st century by providing computer science education opportunities to those who are underrepresented in computing fields and who have traditionally been excluded from full participation in these fields because of the structural inequities of systemic urban poverty, racism, and sexism. The organization believes that computer science is a foundational 21st century skill and that access to quality computer science education is a matter of equity. The Prodigy Program is an advanced job skills education and mentoring program. Youth receive job skills and technical training in Computer Science, Networking/IT and Cyber Security, as well as 21st century skills such as communication, collaboration and problem solving. Prodigy Program participants have developed websites, published video games, earned multiple micro-credentials and been hired into paid internships and jobs in the tech sector as well going on to post-secondary degree programs in computer science on full scholarships.
Creative Nomads
Creative Nomads' mission is to advocate for the professional development of arts entrepreneurs and to provide access to art, music, and cultural education and programming for youth and families. Drumming with Dad is a parent engagement experience designed to provide opportunities for fathers to bond with their children and other Dads while learning the art of African drumming. This program provides art and music with a beautiful cultural lens that empowers both youth and their Dads (or male caregivers) to come out of their comfort zones to learn music and history while building relationships which build stronger, more vibrant communities.
Elev8 Baltimore, Inc.
Elev8 Baltimore partners with schools, families, and the community to ensure that every student is prepared for high school, college, career and life. It does so through its full-service community school model and signature programmatic interventions; extended learning, continuing educations and workforce development, family stability, leadership development and capacity building. Elev8 Baltimore proposes to offer a literacy focused program of the South Baltimore Adult High School for 50 Baltimore City youth ages 16-24 that are either disconnected from school or need intensive academic support and career development. As one of the priorities identified by the Children's Cabinet, this program is a partnership between Elev8 Baltimore, Baltimore City Schools--Re Engagement Center and Baltimore City Community College.
Excellence & Ambition Inc.
Excellence & Ambition Inc. (E&A) is for participants to develop skills and training in the areas of the arts, professionalism, experience in business development, and training specific to their chosen career goals. E&A provides opportunities for youth age 14-24 to start and maintain viable business ventures. While being a part of our seven-week E&A Youth Entrepreneurship Program, participants develop skills in professionalism, experience in business development, and learn skills specific to their chosen career goals. These goals will be accomplished by leveraging partnerships with local business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporations who share our vision of economic prosperity for urban youth. Upon completion of the YEP curricula, those who do not wish to start a business can choose to enter our ten-week apprenticeship program, Youth Build Community to earn a stipend while learning rudimentary carpentry skills.
Harlem Lacrosse - Baltimore
www.harlemlacrosse.org/baltimore
The mission of Harlem Lacrosse is to provide opportunities, relationships, and experiences that activate the skills and traits to put youth on a path to success as students, athletes, and citizens. Harlem Lacrosse aims to bridge the opportunity gap by empowering youth to reach their full potential through holistic and hands-on academic and social-emotional education. Harlem Lacrosse knows that its participants lack neither the potential nor the talent, but rather the opportunities to set out on the path to lifelong success. Harlem Lacrosse provides such opportunities through an intentional program design centered around promoting four core elements: academic performance, social-emotional growth, deep personal engagement, and on-time school advancement. Each element is cultivated and reinforced through wrap-around, comprehensive programming which includes athletics, academics and cultural enrichment. All activities are delivered by full-time staff members who become trusted tutors, mentors and coaches. The nature of being on a team fosters youth collaboration, teamwork and support. Each aspect of Harlem Lacrosse’s programming promotes leadership development, empowerment, self-advocacy, growth mindset and resilience.
HeartSmiles
HeartSmiles strives to connect youth with opportunity and access to resources in order to ensure successful and healthy transitions to adulthood. This program aims to provide trade, career and college pipelines to young people in Baltimore. Ideally, this would serve as a place where school-aged youth could learn skills that could contribute positively to their workforce development aspirations. Often times, college is seen as the only option after high school, but there are few programs that are easily accessible to young people that teach skills, allow young people to be a part of the program coordination and eventually co-facilitate master classes.
Holistic Life Foundation, Inc.
The Holistic Life Foundation (HLF) performs human and environmental health programs to demonstrate the interconnectedness people have with the environment in which they live. Holistic Roots is a mentoring program created as a “continuum of care” that starts in elementary school and supports students through high school graduation and beyond. The goals and objectives of this program are to incorporate mindfulness into a student’s academic curricula in order to achieve the highest level of focus and to engage students to the next degree. Because staff members are able to focus their attention to best suit a student’s needs, this program is beneficial to all students including students who are performing above or below the grade level, students with disabilities and gifted and advanced learners.
Imagine Me Ministries
The mission of Imagine Me Ministries is to Inspire Girls to Embrace a ‘Life of Promise’ and mature into dynamic young women through long-term mentoring relationships with caring adult women. Imagine Me, founded in 2007, is a youth development and mentoring organization for girls with over 14 years of experience delivering in-school, after-school and out-of-school time programming in Baltimore City Public Schools, the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, and communities throughout Baltimore City. Imagine Me has served over 500 girls and matched over 80 girls with a one-on-one mentor, with matches lasting on average over 3 years. Imagine Me offers one-on-one, peer and group mentoring coupled with youth development programming concentrating on the “whole” girl within an education-driven, peer to peer, social-emotional learning context.
Italian Cultural Center
The mission of Italian Cultural Center of Maryland is to support an equitable, prosperous Baltimore and to empower families through the arts and affordable quality food access. The Italian Cultural Center of Maryland aims to create an eight-month, youth community advocacy program connected with our Be a Chef for a Day, Mobile Training Kitchen, Market and Social Enterprise. Twice a week, after school, young adults of the York Road community will be involved in the process of creating community health and community wealth. Experts, elected officials, entrepreneurs, community representatives will meet with them to listen to their ideas and to share their knowledge and they life experiences. The goal of the program is to provide the youth with business and advocacy tools so that the wealth created in the community stays in the community.
JOY Baltimore Corp
Just Our Youth Baltimore, Inc. (JOY) is a grassroots nonprofit organization whose primary goal is to end youth homelessness within the city of Baltimore. Its mission is to provide vulnerable youth with safety, support and stability while striving to put an end to youth homelessness. While it focuses on LGBTQ youth, the organization serves all youth and young adults ages 13-24. JOY Baltimore will continue its project model entitled, “The Spot”, which endeavors to meet the goal to utilize its Drop-In Center which offers homeless, displaced, runaway LGBTQ, African-American, and Latino youth access to after-school assistance, emergency and permanent housing, meals, medical and dental services, community services, supportive services, assistance with obtaining vital records and Maryland State ID.
MTM Foundation, Inc.
www.facebook.com/mtm1foundation
MTM Foundation aims to provide an interactive and comprehensive professional development program that guides youth down the pathways to college or entrepreneurship; while providing essential tools to create generational wealth. MTM Foundation will be providing engaging and well-rounded virtual and in-person college readiness activities such as SAT/ACT college preparation courses, college tours, FAFSA workshops, scholarship boot camp, and resumes and college essay courses. MTM Foundation students will gain information leading to college readiness and social and emotional learning skills including self-efficacy, self-management and responsible decision making as well as an interest and a greater appreciation of receiving a college education.
Muse 360 Incorporated
Muse 360's mission is to develop Baltimore Youth of diverse backgrounds through high quality experiences, leadership and artistic training that inspires them to reach their full potential. New Generation Scholars is a youth-led program founded in 2007 that immerses scholars in weekly college-style workshops that focus on photography, filmmaking, creative writing, African Diasporic history, restorative practices, civic leadership and entrepreneurship. Its scholars participate regularly in guided peer group discussions, generate individual research projects/portfolios and create collaborative media arts projects that grow from their intensive study and research. As an outcome of their studies, scholars produce robust collective and individual creative portfolios that are presented to the public in-person and/or virtually.
Next One Up Foundation, Inc.
Next One Up (NOU) creates generational change in Baltimore by empowering young men as scholars, leaders and athletes. Long-term mentoring and coaching help young African American men create a dynamic vision for their future and overcome historical barriers to academic and economic success. The organization builds the character, grit and leadership skills that will allow the young men we serve to grow into successful and thriving adults. Its approach goes beyond the boundaries of typical programs to foster lasting stability. Over the next year, programming will operate continuously through the year; and engage young men ranging in age from 12-25.
Project I CAN
hwww.cupscoffeehouse.org/ican-mission
The mission of Project I CAN is to provide paid job skills training and comprehensive services to Baltimore City youth, so they have the lifelong support and skills needed to achieve financial empowerment and become leaders in their families and communities. Project I CAN provides Opportunity Youth ages 16-24 in Baltimore City with a 600-hour internship with our partner CUPs Coffeehouse. Through this internship, youth receive 48 hours of Enrichment Classes on a range of topics, resume writing, financial literacy, conflict negotiation, stress management, CPR/First Aid/AED training and more. Interns also complete 48 hours of civic engagement which includes partnering with local communities to complete projects such as beautification projects, food and clothing drives and community socials. Youth interns also earn national certifications as Food Handlers or Food Managers, a required certification for working in the culinary industry. Youth interns are also offered trauma-informed care via YSS and on-site counselors.
RICH
The RICH Program has worked in the Cherry Hill community for ten years in various capacities, bringing to life its mission to love, inspire and empower youth and families would like to continue providing their leadership academy to middle- and high-school-aged young men. The organization believes that students need more than just a traditional education and the center provides 45 young men with offerings ranging from mentoring, conflict resolution, photography, team building, academic support and much more. The Center will also offer them meals and a safe place to enjoy other youthful activities.
Soccer Without Borders
The mission of Soccer Without Borders is to provide newcomer youth with a toolkit to overcome barriers to growth, inclusion and personal success. Its community-based high school programs support students both academically and socially as they adjust to their new schools and communities, and navigate the college application process. Student-athletes participate in English-integrated practices two days a week. They are also invited to attend team-building field trips, which include hikes, rock climbing and trips to college campuses. Students are supported academically through virtual and in-person homework help, with specific students targeted based on their grades.
Springboard Community Services
Springboard Community Services' (SCS) mission is to transform the lives of children and adults by providing opportunities to build self-confidence, resilience and hope. The goal is to bring a sense of stability while moving families towards self-sufficiency. SCS, formerly Family & Children’s Services of Central Maryland, is a 172-year-old, not for profit, nationally accredited and Maryland licensed Outpatient Mental Health Organization (OMHC) providing three distinct but comprehensive and integrated divisions—behavioral health, case management and housing. SCS provides a range of services that address issues like poverty, the threat of homelessness, domestic violence, child abuse, mental illness, caregiving and raising stable families. SCS has a newly developed Youth Resource Center that will serve as the hub of SCS' continuum of mental health, case management and housing services for Baltimore City Youth ages 14-24. The primary focus of the activities requested in this application are providing trauma informed care and reducing youth homelessness.
UMAR Boxing
Umar Boxing Program’s mission is to reclaim community youth from the streets of Baltimore City and prepare them for future roles as productive citizens of society. The program creates and maintains a positive and safe environment for children, providing multiple activities geared to improving academic, social and athletic skills. Its motto is “no hooks before books” as it combines academic development and athletic training under one roof. While boxing is an exciting draw and integral part of the program, academic development is the paramount goal. Children must participate actively in the academic program to participate in the boxing program. Children need quality, positive after-school/summer engagement opportunities to ensure a safe and healthy transition through adolescence to adulthood. The need for after school/summer programs is particularly urgent and critical in the Druid Heights Community of Baltimore City, where the Umar Boxing Program facility is located.
We Will All Rise, Inc.
We Will All Rise (All Rise) supports young Black and Latino men as they commit to completing college degrees and returning home to serve their communities. Its mission is to activate our faith to educate, elevate and empower all members of our community to determine our future and surmount any social, economic, or institutional barriers that may attempt to stand in our way. Through the Minds Free To Dream Campaign |The Free M.I.N.D. (Men Inspired to Never stop Dreaming) Collective, All Rise delivers a return on investment, in resiliency, which builds exponentially with each cohort of returning young men; producing college graduates empowered to offer mentorship and guidance to successive generations of young people of color.